Cooking utensil with seasoning grinder integrated into the handle

ABSTRACT

A cooking article includes a cooking utensil and a handle that is removably connected to the cooking utensil. The handle includes a plurality of hollow seasoning compartment sections, each section configured to store grindable seasonings. The handle includes a selector switch configured to select one of the plurality of seasoning compartment sections for grinding and dispensing seasonings. The handle includes a plurality of sliding members. Each sliding member is associated with a corresponding seasoning compartment section and includes one or more grinding teeth configured to grind the grindable seasonings of the associated seasoning compartment section. The handle includes a lever configured to be pressed and released. When the lever is pressed and released, the lever moves the sliding member associated with the selected seasoning compartment section back and forth, causing the sliding member&#39;s grinding teeth to grind the grindable seasonings in the selected seasoning compartment section.

CLAIM OF BENEFIT TO PRIOR APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 63/150,067, filed on Feb. 16, 2021. The contents ofU.S. Provisional Patent Application 63/150,067 are hereby incorporatedby reference.

BACK GROUND

Kitchen utensils are handheld tools used for cooking. Examples ofkitchen utensils include spoons, slotted spoons, forks, spatulas,ladles, spaghetti ladles, whisks, potato mashers, skimmers, bastingbrushes, tongs, etc. Kitchen utensils may be made of one or more ofplastic, metal, glass, silicone, nylon, wood, ceramic, etc. It is oftendesirable to grind whole spices and seasonings to season the food at thesame time as a utensil is being used to prepare the food. The grindableseasonings may include salt, pepper, rosemary, turmeric, oregano, fennelseeds, cinnamon, cloves, star anise, cumin, coriander, achiote, bayleaves, fenugreek dried ginger, cardamom pods, etc.

A person who wishes to grind whole seasonings over food while using autensil, has to put the utensil down, grind the seasonings over the foodand pick up the utensil again. Repeating this procedure may be timeconsuming and inconvenient. The desired seasonings may have to be foundin the kitchen or in the pantry. For outdoor grilling and cooking, thedesired seasonings have to be carried from the kitchen or from a storagearea to an outdoor area such as backyard, park, campsite, etc.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The various embodiments of the present cooking utensil with seasoninggrinder integrated into the handle now will be discussed in detail withan emphasis on highlighting the advantageous features. These embodimentsdepict the novel and non-obvious cooking utensil with seasoning grinderintegrated into the handle shown in the accompanying drawings, which arefor illustrative purposes only. These drawings include the followingfigures, in which like numerals indicate like parts:

FIG. 1A is a front and side perspective view of a cooking article thatincludes a cooking utensil with a removable handle that includes one ormore seasoning grinders, according to various aspects of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 1B is a front and side perspective view of the cooking article ofFIG. 1A after the cooking utensil and the handle are connected together,according to various aspects of the present disclosure;

FIG. 1C is a back and side perspective view of the cooking article ofFIG. 1B, according to various aspects of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is an expanded perspective view of the handle of FIGS. 1A-1C,according to various aspects of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a side perspective view of the sliding members and thecorresponding griding surfaces of the handle of a cooking article,according to various aspects of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4A is a top view and FIG. 4B is a cross section view of the handleof FIG. 2, according to various aspects of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5A is a top view, FIG. 5B is a left elevation view, FIG. 5C is afront elevation view, FIG. 5D is a right elevation view, FIG. 5E is aback elevation view, and FIG. 5F is a bottom view of the handle of FIG.2, according to various aspects of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6A is a front elevation view of the handle of a cooking article,according to various aspects of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6B is a top view of the handle of FIG. 6A, according to variousaspects of the present disclosure;

FIG. 7A is a front and right elevation view a of the handle of a cookingarticle showing the details of the seasoning compartment sections,according to various aspects of the present disclosure;

FIG. 7B is a right elevation view of the handle of FIG. 7A, showing thedetails of one of the seasoning compartment sections, according tovarious aspects of the present disclosure;

FIG. 8A is a back and left elevation view a of the handle of a cookingarticle showing the details of the seasoning compartment sections,according to various aspects of the present disclosure;

FIG. 8B is a back and left elevation view of the handle of FIG. 8A,showing the details of one of the seasoning compartment sections,according to various aspects of the present disclosure;

FIG. 9A is the top view, FIG. 9B is a left elevation view, and FIGS.9C-9D are cross section views of a cooking utensil handle showing theselector switch set to select a seasoning compartment sections forgrinding and dispensing seasonings, according to various aspects of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 10A is the top view, FIG. 10B is a left elevation view, and FIGS.10C-10D are cross section views of the handle of FIGS. 9A-9D showing theselector switch set to select a different seasoning compartment sectionsfor grinding and dispensing seasonings, according to various aspects ofthe present disclosure;

FIG. 11 is a cross section of the right elevation view of the handle ofa cooking article, according to various aspects of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 12 is a front and side perspective view of a cooking utensil withintegrated seasoning grinder, according to various aspects of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 13 is an expanded perspective view of the cooking utensil withintegrated seasoning grinder of FIG. 12, according to various aspects ofthe present disclosure;

FIG. 14 is a cross sectional perspective view of a portion of the handleof FIGS. 12 and 13, according to various aspects of the presentdisclosure; and

FIG. 15 is a cross sectional perspective view of a portion of a grinderof FIG. 14, according to various aspects of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

One aspect of the present embodiments includes the realization thatsimultaneous use of the existing cooking utensils and seasoningsgrinders with one hand may not be practical. When a person is using anexisting cooking utensil for cooking food, mixing salad, mixing the foodingredients, picking or turning food items, the person has to use bothhands for using the cooking utensil and a seasoning dispenser. When theseasoning dispenser is a grinder, the person may typically have to putdown the utensil, use the grinder with both hands, and then pick up theutensil to continue food preparation. Repeating this procedure may betime consuming and inconvenient. In addition, the person may have tosearch and find the desired seasonings in the kitchen or in a pantry.For outdoor cooking and grilling, the desired seasonings have to becarried from the kitchen or from a storage area to an outdoor area suchas backyard, park, campsite, etc.

The present embodiments, as described in detail below, solve theabove-mentioned problems by providing a cooking utensil with one or moreseasoning grinders integrated into the handle of the cooking utensil.The cooking utensil may be, for example, and without limitations, aspoon, a slotted spoon, a fork, a spatula, a ladle, a spaghetti ladle, awhisk, a potato masher, a skimmer, a basting brush, a tong, etc.Depending on the type of food preparation, a person may detach thecooking utensil from the handle and may attach another cooking utensilwith grindable seasonings that may be appropriate for the foodpreparation task that is performed by the person.

The handle, in some embodiments, may be replaceable. For example, ahandle with one or more seasoning compartment sections may be replacedby a handle with a different number of seasoning compartment sectionsand/or with a handle that has different seasonings in the seasoningcompartment sections, in order to fit the needs of a particular foodpreparation task. In some of these embodiments, the handle may bediscarded once the seasonings in the handle are dispensed.

The handle, in some embodiments, may include one or more hollow sectionsfor storing grindable seasonings. In some embodiments, each seasoningsection may be filled with one or more grindable seasonings. Each hollowsection may be pre-filled with one or more grindable seasonings. Thehandle may include a selector switch in order to select one of theseasoning sections. The handle may include a lever that may repeatedlybe pressed and released in order to grind seasonings in the selectedseasoning compartment section.

Instead of handles that are discarded after the pre-filled seasoningsare dispensed, some embodiments may include handles with replaceablecartridges. In these embodiments, the handle may include one or morereplaceable cartridges configured to store grindable seasonings. Eachreplaceable cartridge may be pre-filled by one or more grindableseasonings and may be inserted into a corresponding empty seasoningcompartment section. The handle may include a selector switch in orderto select one of the replaceable cartridges for griding and dispensingseasonings. Once the seasonings in a cartridge are dispensed, instead ofdiscarding the handle, the empty cartridge may be discarded and anothercartridge that is pre-filled with seasonings may be inserted in thecorresponding seasoning compartment section.

The handle may include one or more movable sliding members. Each slidingmember may be located in one of the seasoning compartment sections. Eachsliding member may include a corresponding grinding surface that may becovered with a plurality of teeth (or serrations) for grindingseasonings. The grinded seasonings may be dispensed through one or moredispensing channels that dispense the grinded seasonings through one ormore dispensing openings on the cooking utensil.

The remaining detailed description describes the present embodimentswith reference to the drawings. In the drawings, reference numbers labelelements of the present embodiments. These reference numbers arereproduced below in connection with the discussion of the correspondingdrawing features.

Some of the present embodiments provide a cooking article that includesa cooking utensil with one or more seasoning grinders (also referred toherein as spice grinders) integrated into a removable handle. FIG. 1A isa front and side perspective view of a cooking article that includes acooking utensil with a removable handle that includes one or moreseasoning grinders, according to various aspects of the presentdisclosure. FIG. 1B is a front and side perspective view of the cookingarticle of FIG. 1A after the cooking utensil and the handle areconnected together, according to various aspects of the presentdisclosure. FIG. 1C is a back and side perspective view of the cookingarticle of FIG. 1B, according to various aspects of the presentdisclosure.

With reference to FIGS. 1A-1C, the cooking article 100 may include acooking utensil 101 and a handle 102. The cooking utensil 101 and thehandle 102 may be attached to each other, and detached from each other,by a connector 103 (FIG. 1A). The connector 103, in some embodiments,may be a twist and snap type of connector. The connector may include aset of one or more tabs 123 that may be aligned with a set ofcorresponding grooves (not shown) inside the cooking utensil 101. Thehandle may then be turned in one direction (e.g., clockwise) to lock.The handle may be turned in the opposite direction (e.g.,counterclockwise) to unlock.

In the example embodiments of FIG. 1A, the connector 103 is shown as apart of the handle 102. In other embodiments, the connector 103 may be apart of the cooking utensil 101. In these embodiments, the handle mayinclude a set of grooves to fit a corresponding set of tabs on theconnector. Yet, in other embodiments, the connector 103 may be aseparate component that may be removably attached to the cooking utensil101 on one side and removably attached to the handle 102 on the otherside.

With further reference to FIGS. 1A-1C, the cooking utensil 101 may be,for example, and without limitations, a spoon (as shown), a slottedspoon, a fork, a spatula, a ladle, a spaghetti ladle, a whisk, a potatomasher, a skimmer, a basting brush, a tong, etc. Depending on the typeof food preparation, a person may detach the cooking utensil 101 fromthe handle 102 and may attach another cooking utensil that may beappropriate for the food preparation task performed by the person.

The handle 102 may include a seasoning compartment 110. The seasoningcompartment 110 may include one or more hollow seasoning compartmentsections 111-112 for storing grindable seasonings. The seasonings maybe, for example, and without limitations, seeds, buds, fruits, flowers,bark, and roots of plants. The grindable seasonings may be, for example,and without limitations, mineral or crystals, such as table salt, seasalt, etc. The grindable seasonings may include, for example, andwithout limitations, salt, pepper, rosemary, turmeric, oregano, fennelseeds, cinnamon, cloves, star anise, cumin, coriander, achiote, bayleaves, fenugreek, dried ginger, cardamom pods, nutmeg seeds, etc. Theterms seasoning and spice are used interchangeably in thisspecification.

The handle 102 may include a lever (or actuator) 120 that may repeatedlybe pressed (i.e., pushed in towards the housing of the handle) andreleased in order to grind seasonings in the seasoning compartment 110.The seasoning compartment 110, in some embodiments, may include atransparent external surface to show the seasonings in the seasoningcompartment sections 111-112. For example, and without limitations, theexterior of the seasoning compartment 110 may be covered by glass,transparent plastic, or other transparent material. In otherembodiments, the handle's external surface may be opaque.

In the embodiments that the seasoning compartment 110 includes more thanone seasoning compartment section, two adjacent seasoning compartmentsections 111 and 112 may be separated by a divider 115. The handle 102may include a selector switch 130 (FIG. 1C) configured to select one ofthe seasoning compartment sections 111-112 for grinding and dispensingthe seasonings. The grinded seasonings may be dispensed through at leastone dispensing channel 145 and one or more dispensing openings (ordispensing holes) 140 (FIG. 1C). The embodiment of FIG. 1C has only onedispensing channel 145 (shown by the dotted lines 146) and onedispensing opening 140.

As shown in FIG. 1C, a section of the dispensing channel 145 may beinside the handle 102 and a section of the dispensing channel 145 may beinside the cooking utensil 101. Both sections of the dispensing channel145 become a continuous channel after the cooking utensil 101 and thehandle 102 are connected to each other. It should be noted that in FIGS.1B and 1C, the handle and the cooking utensil are connected together bythe connector 103 of FIG. 1A. Therefore, there is an overlap between thecooking utensil 101 and the handle 102 in FIGS. 1B and 1C where thedispensing channel 145 is located.

The selector switch 130, in some embodiments, may be a thumb switch withseveral positions. Each position may correspond to selecting one of theplurality of the seasoning compartment sections 111-112. As anon-limiting example, when the seasoning compartment 110 includes twoseasoning sections, one section for storing grindable salt and anothersection for storing grindable pepper, the selector switch 130 may havetwo positions: one position for selecting the salt section and anotherposition for selecting the pepper section. The selector switch 130 andthe multiple sections of the seasoning compartment 110 provide thetechnical advantage of using one lever 120 for grinding and dispensingmultiple seasonings without the need to grab individual grinders fordifferent seasonings. In addition to the positions for selecting one ofthe seasoning compartment sections, the selector switch 130, in someembodiments, may have a neutral position. In these embodiments, when theselector switch is at the neutral position, no seasonings are grindedeven if the lever 120 is pressed and released.

The selector switch 130 may include a housing 131 (FIG. 1C) with anopening 132 for the selector switch 130 to move to different positions.The handle 102 may include an end cap 170. The handle 102, in someembodiments, may be replaceable. For example, a handle with one or moreseasoning compartment sections may be replaced by a handle with adifferent number of seasoning compartment sections and/or by a handlethat has different seasonings in the seasoning compartment sections, inorder to fit the needs of a particular food preparation task.

In some of embodiments, the handle may be pre-filled with seasonings andthe handle may be discarded once the seasonings in the handle aredispensed. In these embodiments, once the seasonings in a handle aredispensed, the handle is replaced with another handle that is pre-filledwith seasonings. Instead of handles that are discarded after thepre-filled seasonings are dispensed, some embodiments may includehandles with replaceable cartridges. In these embodiments, the handlemay include one or more replaceable cartridges configured to storegrindable seasonings. Each replaceable cartridge may be pre-filled byone or more grindable seasonings and may be inserted into acorresponding empty seasoning compartment section.

The cooking utensil 101 and the handle 102 may be made of appropriatematerial for different cooking applications such as, for example, andwithout limitations, preparing salads, cooking hot meals, mixing cookingingredients, grilling and barbecuing, picking and turning food items,etc. For example, and without limitations, the cooking utensil 101 andthe handle 102 may be made from one or more of plastic, metal, glass,silicone, nylon, wood, ceramic, etc.

FIG. 2 is an expanded perspective view of the handle of FIGS. 1A-1C,according to various aspects of the present disclosure. With referenceto FIG. 2, the connector 103 may include the set of tabs 123 to fit intoa set of the matching grooves of the cooking utensil (not shown) by atwist and snap action.

With further reference to FIG. 2, the seasoning compartment 110 (FIGS.1A-1C) may include one or more seasoning sections 111-112 (only twosections are shown in FIG. 2 for simplicity). The adjacent seasoningcompartment sections 111-112 may be separated by a divider 115. Thedivider 115 may include the components 206, 219, 245, 254, 255, 265,273, and 275, which are described below. The seasoning compartmentsections 111-112 may be formed between the housing 116 of the seasoningcompartment sections 111-112 and the divider 115. The housing 116 of theseasoning compartment sections 111-112 may include a set of tabs thatmay fit into a matching set of grooves on the connector 103. Furtherdetails of the seasoning compartment sections are described below.

In some embodiments, each of the plurality of seasoning compartmentsections 111-112 may be filled with one or more grindable seasonings. Insome embodiments, the handle 102 may be replaceable. Each seasoningcompartment section of the replaceable handle may be pre-filled by oneor more grindable seasonings and the handle may be sealed after theseasoning compartment section(s) is/are pre-filled. In some embodiments,once the pre-filled seasonings in a handle are grinded and dispensed,the handle may be discarded and may be replaced with another handle thatis pre-filled with grindable seasonings.

The replaceable handle provides the technical advantage of allowing aquick replacement of one type of grindable seasoning with another typeof grindable seasoning, depending on a particular cooking task. Thepre-filled seasoning compartment sections provide the technicaladvantage of eliminating manual refill of seasoning compartment sectionsthat may, at times, be messy and spill seasonings on the work areaduring the refill. The handle 102 may be quickly removed from thecooking utensil and be replaced by another handle by using the twist andsnap tabs 123 on the connector 103.

Some embodiments may include replaceable seasoning cartridges (notshown) instead of replaceable handles. In these embodiments, theseasonings may be included in replaceable cartridges. Each replaceablecartridge may be pre-filled by one or more grindable seasonings and maybe inserted into an empty seasoning compartment section of the handle.The replaceable seasoning cartridges provide the technical advantage ofallowing a quick replacement of one type of grindable seasoning withanother type of grindable seasoning, depending on a particular cookingtask. The replaceable seasoning cartridges provide the technicaladvantage of eliminating manual refill of seasoning compartment sectionsthat may, at times, be messy and spill seasonings on the work areaduring the refill. The handle 102, in some embodiments, may includequick release buttons to facilitate the removal and insertion ofreplaceable seasoning cartridges.

With continued reference to FIG. 2, the divider 115 may include thestructure 265, which is the housing for the lever 120, the spring 205,and the pivot heads 210. The handle 102 may include one or more movablesliding members 261-262 that are configured to move independent of eachother. Each sliding member 261-262 may be located in one of theseasoning compartment sections 111-112. Each sliding member 261-262 mayinclude a plurality of grinding teeth (or serrations) 268-269,respectively, for grinding seasonings. The sliding member 262 may beinstalled behind (in the perspective view of FIG. 2) the slot 255. Thebase 154 of the divider 115 may include an opening 206 that may lead toa grinding chamber 253 (shown in FIG. 11) that is configured to allowthe sliding member 262 to go up and down (in the depicted orientation)through the grinding chamber 253 when the lever 120 is pressed in thedirection of the arrow 221 and then released. When the lever 120 ispressed, at least a portion of the lever 120 may move into the lever'shousing 265. When the lever 120 is released, at least a portion of thelever 120 may move out of the lever's housing 265.

As described below with reference to FIG. 11, when the sliding member262 goes up and down through the grinding chamber 253, the grindingteeth 269 may grind the seasonings. The seasoning may move from theseasoning compartment section 112, through the slot 255, into thegrinding chamber 253 (shown in the expanded view 1150 of FIG. 11).

The plate 219 of the divider 115 and the sliding member 262 areconfigured to prevent the seasoning to enter from the seasoningcompartment section 112 into the area where the spring 266 is located.The sliding member 261 may be installed behind another slot (not shownin the perspective view of FIG. 2) on the other side of the divider 115(this slot 455 is shown in FIG. 4B).

The shut pin 285 fits in the opening 281 on the selector switch 130. Theplate 280 supports the selector switch and keeps the selector switch 130from moving up and down (in the depicted orientation). In operation, theselector switch 130 may move to one of a plurality of positions in orderto select one of the plurality of seasoning compartment sections111-112. By moving the selector switch 130 to one of the plurality ofpositions, the shut pin 285 may move over a corresponding sliding member261-262. For example, when the handle has two seasoning compartmentsections 111 and 112, and the selector switch 130 is moved to one of twopositions to select the seasoning compartment section 111, the shut pin285 is moved over the sliding members 261 in order to grind and dispenseseasonings from the selected seasoning compartment section 111. In thisexample, when the selector switch 130 is moved to the other position toselect the seasoning compartment section 112, the shut pin 285 is movedover the sliding member 262 in order to grind and dispense seasoningsfrom the selected seasoning compartment section 112.

The lever 120 may then be pressed (i.e., pushed into the lever housing265) and released one or more times to compress and stretch the spring205, which is incorporated in the lever 120. The pivot shaft 260 fitsinto the opening 215 on the lever 120. When the lever 120 is pushed (inthe direction of the arrow 221), the lever 120 rotates around the pivotshaft 260, causing the pivot heads 210 to move down in a circularmotion. The pivot heads 210 rotate together and the pivot heads that islocated above the shut pin 285 (according to the position of theselector switch 130 and the shut pin 285) presses against the shut pinand moves the shut pin 285 down.

It should be noted that, although FIG. 2 shows only two pivot heads 210,the handle 102 includes one pivot head 210 for each seasoningcompartment section 111-112. For example, in an embodiments that thehandle 102 includes n seasoning compartment sections (where n is aninteger number), there may be n pivot heads 210, one per seasoningcompartment section. Each pivot head 210 may be configured to be locatedsubstantially above (in the depicted orientation) the correspondingsliding member in order to push the shut pin 285 against thecorresponding seasoning compartment section when the selector switch hasmoved the shut pin 285 between the pivot head and the sliding member andthe lever 120 is pressed.

Depending on the position of the shut pin 285, the base 286 of the shutpin 285 either pushes the sliding member 261 or the sliding member 262down, causing the grinding teeth 268 or 269 on the corresponding slidingmember to come in contact with, and grind, the grindable seasonings inthe selected seasoning compartment section 111 or 112. The grindedseasonings may be dispensed through one or more dispensing channels 145and one or more dispensing holes 140 (FIG. 1C) located on the cookingutensil 101.

Each seasoning compartment section 111-112, in some embodiments, mayinclude a compression spring 266-267 (in the perspective view of FIG. 2,the compression spring 267 is hidden behind the sliding member 261, thecompression spring 267 is shown on FIG. 8B) to apply pressure to, andrelease pressure from, the sliding members 261-262. As described above,when the lever 120 is pressed, the shut pin 285 pushes down on one ofthe sliding members (e.g., the sliding member 262). The correspondingspring 266 is compressed as the sliding member 262 is pushed down. Whenthe lever 120 is released, the shut pin 285 is no longer appliespressure to, or pushes down, the sliding member 262. As a result, thespring 266 is stretched and the sliding member 262 and the shut pin 285are pushed up to their initial positions.

FIG. 3 is a side perspective view of the sliding members and thecorresponding griding surfaces of the handle of a cooking article,according to various aspects of the present disclosure. With referenceto FIG. 3. the sliding members 261 and 262 may move up and down (in thedepicted orientation) independent of each other.

Each sliding member 261-262 may include a plurality of grinding teeth.In some embodiments, only a portion 363-364 of each sliding member261-262 may include the grinding teeth 268-269, respectively. Eachsliding member 261-262 may include a corresponding spring 266-267 (thespring 267 is not shown in the perspective view of FIG. 3).

FIG. 4A is a top view and FIG. 4B is a cross section view of the handleof FIG. 2, according to various aspects of the present disclosure. FIG.4B is the cross section view of the handle 102 along the line A-A shownin FIG. 4A. With reference to FIG. 4B, the plate 219 of the divider 115includes the slot 255. The seasonings in the seasoning compartmentsection 112 (which in the depicted orientation is in front and rightside of the handle 102) may pass through the slot 255 and come incontact with the grinding teeth 269. The plate 419 of the divider 115includes the slot 455. The seasonings in the seasoning compartmentsection 111 (which in the depicted orientation is in front and left sideof the handle 102) may pass through the slot 455 and come in contactwith the grinding teeth 268.

Referring back to FIG. 2, the divider 115 may include the plate 245,which is configured to prevent the seasonings from entering into theopening 281. The divider 115 may include the plate 273, which covers thestructure 265 to prevent the seasonings from coming into contact withthe lever 120, the spring 205, and the pivot head 210. The structures283 and 289 support the plate 273. Similar structures as the structures283 and 289 are on the other side of the divider 115, which are notshown in the perspective view of FIG. 2 (these structures are shown asthe structures 683 and 689 in FIGS. 6A-6B). The pivot 250 goes throughthe openings 215 and 271. The shaft 216 goes through the opening 272.The stop 225 is a structure that holds the divider 115 in place andprevents the divider 115 to spin around.

In some embodiments, the housing of the handle 102 may be made oftransparent material (e.g., and without limitations, from transparentplastic material). These embodiments may include the openings 220 on thehousing to allow spraying of painting and other chemicals for postprocessing. The openings 220 may also be used for hanging the handle bya hook during manufacturing to allow the paint to dry in the air. Theopenings 220 may not be visible from outside once the cap 170 is placedon the handle 102.

Some embodiments may include the optional opening 270 that may be usedto lock the cap 170. The guide 275 may go through the opening 270 tokeep the cap 170 in place. In the embodiments that the handle 102 ispre-filled with grindable seasonings and is discarded after theseasonings are dispensed, when the cap is placed on the handle's housingduring manufacturing, the guide 275 may be permanently attached to thecap 170. For example, and without limitations, the guide 275 and the cap170 may be attached together by adhesive, by plastic welding, etc. Inthese embodiments, the tabs 217 may also be permanently attached to thegrooves 218 on the connector 103, for example, and without limitations,by adhesive, by plastic welding, etc.

In embodiments that the handle is not discarded after the seasonings aredispensed (e.g., when the handle includes replaceable seasoningcartridges), different components of the handle 103 may be separable forcleaning, replacement, and/or maintenance. For example, the end cap 170may be removed, followed by other individual components shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 5A is a top view, FIG. 5B is a left elevation view, FIG. 5C is afront elevation view, FIG. 5D is a right elevation view, FIG. 5E is aback elevation view, and FIG. 5F is a bottom view of the handle of FIG.2, according to various aspects of the present disclosure. Withreference to FIGS. 5A-5F, different views of the handle 102 of FIG. 2are shown after the individual components are assembled together. Insome embodiments, at least a portion of the housing of the handle 102may be transparent, for example, to make the seasonings that are insidethe handle visible.

As shown in FIGS. 5C and 5E, the divider 115 (including the divider'splate 273), separates the seasoning compartment sections 111 and 112.FIG. 5B shows the seasoning compartment section 111. All portions of theseasoning compartment section that are labeled 111 are connectedtogether. FIG. 5D shows the seasoning compartment section 112. Allportions of the seasoning compartment section that are labeled 112 areconnected together.

As shown from the back elevation view of FIG. 5E, the selector switch's130 housing 131 may include a plurality of stoppers 530 to hold theselector switch 130 in position after one of the plurality of seasoningcompartment sections. Some embodiments may include a stopper to keep theselector switch 130 at a neutral position where none of the seasoningcompartment sections are selected.

FIG. 5F shows a bottom view of the movable sliding members 261-262 andthe grinding teeth 268 and 269. The movable sliding members 261-162 maymove independently of each other. For example, in a handle with twoseasoning compartment sections, when the selector switch 130 is moved toright (in the depicted view), the movable sliding member 261 and thegrinding region 263 may move down and up when the lever 120 is pressedand released. When the selector switch 130 is on the left (in thedepicted view), the movable sliding member 262 and the grinding region264 may move down and up when the lever 120 is pressed and released.

FIG. 6A is a front elevation view of the handle of a cooking article,according to various aspects of the present disclosure. FIG. 6B is a topview of the handle of FIG. 6A, according to various aspects of thepresent disclosure. With reference to FIGS. 6A-6B, the cap 170 is notshown in order to show other components of the handle 102. The divider115 (which includes the plate 273 and the structure 265) separates thetwo seasoning compartment sections 111 and 112 from each other. In FIGS.6A and 6B, the seasoning compartment section 111 is located on the leftof the divider 115 and the seasoning compartment section 112 is locatedon the right of the divider 115.

Different portions of the seasoning compartment section 111 in FIG. 6A(all labeled as 111) are connected together. Gaps such as 610 (FIG. 6B)may allow the seasonings to move in the seasoning compartment section111 from the top of the handle (in the pictured view of FIG. 6A) to thebottom of the handle. The seasonings may enter the slot 655 and come incontact with the teeth 268.

Different portions of the seasoning compartment section 112 in FIG. 6A(all labeled 112) are connected together. Gaps such as 620 (FIG. 6B) mayallow the seasoning to move in the seasoning compartment section 111from the top of the handle (in the pictured view of FIG. 6A) to thebottom of the handle. The seasonings may enter the slot 255 and come incontact with the teeth 269.

FIG. 7A is a front and right elevation view a of the handle of a cookingarticle showing the details of the seasoning compartment sections,according to various aspects of the present disclosure. FIG. 7B is aright elevation view of the handle of FIG. 7A, showing the details ofone of the seasoning compartment sections, according to various aspectsof the present disclosure.

With reference to FIGS. 7A-7B, the divider 115 (including the plate 219)is configured such that the seasonings in the seasoning compartmentsection 112 do not enter the area where the spring 266 is located. Thesloped surface 710 of the structure 289 is configured to guide thedownward (in the depicted orientation) movement of the seasonings fromthe upper areas of the seasoning compartment section 112 into the frontand lower area of the seasoning compartment section 112.

FIG. 8A is a back and left elevation view a of the handle of a cookingarticle showing the details of the seasoning compartment sections,according to various aspects of the present disclosure. FIG. 8B is aback and left elevation view of the handle of FIG. 8A, showing thedetails of one of the seasoning compartment sections, according tovarious aspects of the present disclosure.

With reference to FIGS. 8A-8B, the divider 115 (including the plate 819)is configured such that the seasonings in the seasoning compartmentsection 111 do not enter the area where the spring 267 is located. Thesloped surface 810 of the structure 689 is configured to guide thedownward (in the depicted orientation) movement of the seasonings fromthe upper areas of the seasoning compartment section 111 into the frontand lower area of the seasoning compartment section 111.

FIG. 9A is the top view, FIG. 9B is a left elevation view, and FIGS.9C-9D are cross section views of a cooking utensil handle showing theselector switch set to select a seasoning compartment sections forgrinding and dispensing seasonings, according to various aspects of thepresent disclosure. FIG. 9C is the cross section view of the handle 102along the line B-B shown in FIG. 9B. In the top view 9A, the handle 102is rotated such that the selector switch 130 is located in the bottom(in the depicted orientation) in order to better visualize the positionof the selector switch 130 in FIGS. 9A and 9C.

With reference to FIGS. 9A-9D, the selector switch 130 is set to aposition to select the seasoning compartment section 112 for griding anddispensing seasonings. As shown in FIG. 9C, the selector switch, in itscurrent position, has moved the shut pin 285 such that the base 286 ofthe shut pin 285 is located on top of the sliding member 262 (in thecross section view of FIG. 9C, the sliding member 262 is located behindthe spring 266). When the lever 120 is pushed in (as shown in FIG. 9D)and then released, the sliding member 262 and the griding teeth 269 moveup and down (in the depicted orientation) causing the seasonings in theseasoning compartment section 112 to come in contact with the grindingteeth 266 and be grinded.

FIG. 10A is the top view, FIG. 10B is a left elevation view, and FIGS.10C-10D are cross section views of the handle of FIGS. 9A-9D showing theselector switch set to select a different seasoning compartment sectionsfor grinding and dispensing seasonings, according to various aspects ofthe present disclosure;

FIG. 10C is the cross section view of the handle 102 along the line B-Bshown in FIG. 10B (which is the same as line B-B shown in FIG. 9B). Inthe top view 10A, the handle 102 is rotated such that the selectorswitch 130 is located in the bottom (in the depicted orientation) inorder to better visualize the position of the selector switch 130 inFIGS. 10A and 10C.

With reference to FIGS. 10A-10D, the selector switch 130 is set to aposition to select the seasoning compartment section 111 for griding anddispensing seasonings. As shown in FIG. 10C, the selector switch, in itscurrent position, has move the shut pin 285 such that the base 286 ofthe shut pin 285 is located on top of the sliding member 261 (in thecross section view of FIG. 10C, the sliding member 261 is located behindthe spring 267). When the lever 120 is pushed in (as shown in FIG. 10D)and then released, the sliding member 261 and the griding teeth 268 moveup and down (in the depicted orientation) causing the seasonings in theseasoning compartment section 111 to come in contact with the grindingteeth 268 and be grinded.

FIG. 11 is a cross section of the right elevation view of the handle ofa cooking article, according to various aspects of the presentdisclosure. FIG. 11 as shown, includes two operational stages 1101 and1102. In the example of FIG. 11, it is assumed that the selector switch130 is set to select the seasoning compartment section 112 for gridingand dispensing the seasonings filled in the seasoning compartmentsection 112. Some of the seasonings 1110 (shown in the expanded view1150) in the seasoning compartment section 112 may pass through the slot255, and come in contact with the grinding teeth 269.

In stage 1101, the lever 120 is released and the spring 205 isstretched. In stage 1101, the pivot head 210 is not applying any forceto, and is not pushing down on, the shut pin 285.

In stage 1102, a force is applied to the lever 120 and the lever ispushed into the housing of the handle 102 and the spring 205 iscompressed. In stage 1102, the lever 120 rotates around the pivot shaft260, causing the pivot head 210 to move down. The pivot head 210 appliesa force to, and moves, the shut pin 285 down.

Since the selector switch 130, in the example of FIG. 11, is set toselect the seasoning compartment section 112, the base 286 of the shutpin 285 applies a force to the movable sliding member 262 causing thesliding member 262 to move down (in the depicted orientation) throughthe griding chamber 253.

The grindable seasonings that pass through the slot 255 may go into thegriding chamber 253. As shown in the expanded view 1150, the grindableseasonings 1110 may enter the grinding chamber 253 through the opening206 (FIG. 2) in the upper part (in the depicted orientation) of thegrinding chamber 253. In the expanded view 1150, this opening is shownby the dashed line 206. As shown in the expanded view 1150, the gridingchamber 253 the area between base 254 of the divider 115 (FIG. 2) andthe sliding member 261.

After entering the grinding chamber 253, the grindable seasonings 1110may come in contact with the grinding teeth 269. As the sliding member261 and the grinding teeth move up and down inside the griding chamber253 in response to the lever 120 being pushed in and released, thegriding teeth may grind the grindable seasonings 1110 into the smallergrinded seasonings 1115 (or the seasonings fragments). As the slidingmember 261 moves up and down (in the depicted orientation) through thegrinding chamber 253, the grinded seasonings 1115 are dropped into thedispensing channel 145 through the bottom opening of the griding chamber253. In the expanded view 1150, the bottom opening of the gridingchamber 253 is conceptually shown by the dashed line 1122.

The dispensing channel 145 may be a hollow channel. As described abovewith reference to FIG. 1C, a part of the dispensing channel 145 may beinside the handle 102 and a part of the dispensing channel 145 may beinside the cooking utensil 101. Both parts of the dispensing channel 145become a continuous channel after the cooking utensil 101 and the handleare connected to each other.

In operation, the cooking spoon 101 (FIGS. 1A-1C) is connected to thehandle 102 when the seasonings are grinded. The grinded seasonings 1115may move downward (in the pictured orientation) and may be dispensed oneor more dispensing openings 140 (FIG. 1C) located on the cooking utensil101.

Some embodiments may use a set of screw threads and matching grooves toconnect the handle and the cooking utensil. FIG. 12 is a front and sideperspective view of a cooking utensil with integrated seasoning grinder,according to various aspects of the present disclosure. With referenceto FIG. 12, the cooking article 100 may include a cooking utensil 101and a handle 102. The cooking utensil 101 and the handle 102 may beattached and detached by a connector 103. In the example embodiments ofFIG. 12 the connector 103 is shown as a part of the handle 102. In otherembodiments, the connector 103 may be a part of the cooking utensil 101.Yet, in other embodiments, the connector 103 may be a separate componentthat may be removably attached to the cooking utensil 101 on one sideand removably attached to the handle 102 on the other side.

FIG. 13 is an expanded perspective view of the cooking utensil withintegrated seasoning grinder of FIG. 12, according to various aspects ofthe present disclosure. With reference to FIG. 13, the connector 103 mayinclude a screw thread 1352 and the cooking utensil 101 may include amatching groove (not shown). Alternatively, the connector 103 mayinclude the groove and the cooking utensil 101 may include the screwthread. The connector 103, in some embodiments, may include one or moretabs 1351 to facilitate the rotation of the connector 103.

With further reference to FIG. 13, seasoning compartment 110 may includeone or more seasoning compartment sections 111-112. In some embodiments,each section may be filled with one or more grindable seasonings. Insome embodiments, the seasonings may be included in replaceablecartridges. Each replaceable cartridge may be pre-filled by one or moregrindable seasonings and may be inserted into an empty seasoningcompartment section.

With continued reference to FIG. 13, the handle 102 may include one ormore movable sliding members 261-262. Each sliding member 261-262 may beinserted in one of the seasoning compartment sections 111-112. Eachsliding member 261-262 may include a set of corresponding grindingserrations (or teeth) 268-269 for grinding seasonings.

In operation, the selector switch 130 may be set to select one of theplurality of seasoning compartment sections 111-112. The lever 120 maythen be pressed and released one or more times. Based on the position ofthe selector switch 130, the lever 120 may be connected by one or moreshafts 1321-1322 to one of the sliding member 261-262.

Pressing and releasing the lever 120 may cause the lever 120 to move theshafts 1321-1322 up and down. The shafts 1321-1322 may in turn move thesliding member in the selected seasoning compartment section up and downin order to grind the grindable seasonings that are in the selectedseasoning compartment section 111-112 against the corresponding grindingteeth 268-269. Each seasoning compartment section 111-112, in someembodiments, may include a compression spring to apply and releasepressure to the grinding teeth 268-269. The grinded seasoning may bedispensed through one or more dispensing holes 140.

FIG. 14 is a cross sectional perspective view of a portion of the handleof FIGS. 12 and 13, according to various aspects of the presentdisclosure. FIG. 15 is a cross sectional perspective view of a portionof a grinder of FIG. 14, according to various aspects of the presentdisclosure.

With reference to FIGS. 14 and 15, the selector switch 130 may bemovable inside a groove 1410. In the example of FIGS. 14 and 15, theselector switch may have been placed at a position to select theseasoning compartment section 112. Each seasoning compartment section111-112, in some embodiments, may be filled with one or more grindableseasonings. Alternatively, each seasoning compartment section 111-112,in some embodiments, may include a replaceable cartridge that mayinclude one or more grindable seasonings.

With reference to FIG. 14, the lever 120 may be hand operated and may bemoved in and out of a space 1420. Pressing and releasing of the lever120 may move the movable sliding member 262, which is selected by theselector switch 130, up and down. As shown in FIG. 15, the movablesliding member 262 and the corresponding grinding teeth 269 have moveddown, causing the serrations on the grinding surface 164 to grind thegrindable seasonings (not shown) that may be in the seasoningcompartment section 112. The grinded seasonings may be dispensed throughone or more dispensing channels 145 and one or more dispensing openings140. In FIG. 13, only one dispensing channel and one dispensing hole aredisplayed.

In a first aspect, a cooking article is provided. The cooking articlecomprises a cooking utensil; and a handle removably connected to thecooking utensil, the handle comprises: a plurality of hollow seasoningcompartment sections, each seasoning compartment section configured tostore a quantity of grindable seasonings; a selector switch configuredto select one of the plurality of seasoning compartment sections forgrinding and dispensing seasonings; a plurality of sliding members, eachsliding member associated with a corresponding seasoning compartmentsection, each sliding member comprising a set of one or more grindingteeth configured to grind the grindable seasonings of the associatedseasoning compartment section; and a lever configured to be pressed andreleased, wherein when the lever is pressed and released, the levermoves the sliding member associated with the selected seasoningcompartment section back and forth, causing the sliding member's set ofgrinding teeth to grind the grindable seasonings in the selectedseasoning compartment section.

In an embodiment of the first aspect, the selector switch comprises anopening, the handle comprises: a shut pin configured to pass through theselector switch's opening; and a plurality of pivot heads connected tothe lever, each pivot head in the plurality of pivot heads correspondingto a sliding member in the plurality of sliding members, and whereinwhen the selector switch selects a seasoning compartment section, theselector switch moves the shut pin between the seasoning compartmentsection's sliding member and the corresponding pivot head.

In another embodiment of the first aspect, the handle comprises aplurality of sliding member springs, each sliding member springassociated with a corresponding sliding member, each sliding memberspring configured to compress when the associated sliding member isunder pressure and moves in a first direction, each sliding memberspring configured to stretch and move the associated sliding member in asecond, opposite, direction when the sliding member is not underpressure, wherein when the lever is pressed and the shut pin is betweena first pivot head and an associated first sliding member, the leverrotates the plurality of pivot heads, causing the first pivot head andthe shut pin to move the first sliding member from a first position to asecond position and causing the sliding member's spring to stretch; andwherein when the lever is released, and the shut pin is between thefirst pivot head and the first sliding member, the sliding member'sspring stretches, causing the sliding member to move back to the firstposition, wherein said back and forth movement of the sliding memberbetween the first and second positions causes the grindable seasoningsin the selected seasoning compartment section to be grinded.

In another embodiment of the first aspect, each seasoning compartmentsection comprises a plate configured to prevent the grindable seasoningsto come into contact with the seasoning compartment section's slidingmember spring.

In another embodiment of the first aspect, the handle comprises a springconnected to the lever, wherein when the lever is pressed, the levermoves from a first position to a second position causing the spring tocompress; and wherein when the lever released, the spring stretches andcause the handle to return to the first position.

In another embodiment of the first aspect, wherein the lever comprisesan opening; wherein the handle comprises a pivot shaft configured topass through the opening of the lever; and wherein when the lever ispressed and released, the lever rotates around the pivot shaft.

In another embodiment of the first aspect, each seasoning compartmentsection comprises a corresponding grinding chamber configured to receivea quantity of grindable seasonings from the corresponding seasoningcompartment section, each grinding chamber configured to allow thesliding member of the corresponding seasoning compartment section tomove across the grinding chamber causing the sliding member's set ofgrinding teeth to grind the grindable seasoning in the grinding chamber.

In another embodiment of the first aspect, each griding chambercomprises an opening into a dispensing channel configured to dispensethe grinded seasonings through one or more holes on the cooking utensil.

In another embodiment of the first aspect, the cooking utensil comprisesa set of one or more seasoning dispensing holes configured to dispensethe grinded seasonings.

An embodiment of the first aspect further comprises a hollow dispensingchannel configured to transfer the grinded seasonings from the seasoningcompartment sections to the set of dispensing holes, wherein a firstsection of the dispensing channel is located inside the handle and asecond section of the dispensing channel is located inside the cookingutensil.

In another embodiment of the first aspect, the handle comprises ahousing for the lever, wherein when the lever is pressed, at least aportion of the lever moves inside the lever's housing, and wherein whenthe lever is released, at least a portion of the lever moves out of thelever's housing.

In another embodiment of the first aspect, the handle comprises aplurality of stoppers configured to hold the selector switch in positionafter one of the plurality of seasoning compartment sections isselected.

An embodiment of the first aspect further comprises a seasoningcompartment encompassing the plurality of seasoning compartmentsections.

In another embodiment of the first aspect, an exterior surface of theseasoning compartment comprises a transparent material configured toshow at least a portion of a content of each seasoning compartmentsection.

In another embodiment of the first aspect, one of the cooking utensiland the handle comprises a connector and a set of one or more tabs,wherein the other of the cooking utensil and the handle comprises a setof corresponding matching grooves, wherein the tabs are configured tofit inside the corresponding grooves, wherein the tabs are configured tolock inside the corresponding grooves when the handle is turned in afirst direction against the cooking utensil, and wherein the tabs areconfigured to unlock from the corresponding grooves when the handle isturned in a second direction against the cooking utensil.

In another embodiment of the first aspect, one of the cooking utensiland the handle comprises a screw thread and the other of the cookingutensil and the handle comprises a matching groove, and wherein thecooking utensil and the handle are configured to attach and detachthrough the screw thread and the matching groove.

In another embodiment of the first aspect, each pair of adjacentseasoning compartment sections is separated by a divider configured toprevent the grindable seasonings stored in each seasoning compartmentsection in an adjacent pair to enter the other seasoning compartmentsection in the pair.

In another embodiment of the first aspect, the cooking utensil comprisesone of a spoon, a slotted spoon, a fork, a spatula, a ladle, a spaghettiladle, a whisk, a potato masher, a skimmer, a basting brush, and a tong.

In another embodiment of the first aspect, the handle is configured toattach to and detach from a plurality of different types of cookingutensils comprising spoons, slotted spoons, forks, spatulas, ladles,spaghetti ladles, whisks, potato mashers, skimmers, basting brushes, andtongs.

In another embodiment of the first aspect, the cooking utensil and thehandle are made of one or more of plastic, metal, glass, silicone,nylon, wood, and ceramic.

The above description presents the best mode contemplated for carryingout the present embodiments, and of the manner and process of practicingthem, in such full, clear, concise, and exact terms as to enable anyperson skilled in the art to which they pertain to practice theseembodiments. The present embodiments are, however, susceptible tomodifications and alternate constructions from those discussed abovethat are fully equivalent. Consequently, the present invention is notlimited to the particular embodiments disclosed. On the contrary, thepresent invention covers all modifications and alternate constructionscoming within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

What is claimed is:
 1. A cooking article, comprising: a cooking utensil;and a handle removably connected to the cooking utensil, the handlecomprising: a plurality of hollow seasoning compartment sections, eachseasoning compartment section configured to store a quantity ofgrindable seasonings; a selector switch configured to select one of theplurality of seasoning compartment sections for grinding and dispensingseasonings; a plurality of sliding members, each sliding memberassociated with a corresponding seasoning compartment section, eachsliding member comprising a set of one or more grinding teeth configuredto grind the grindable seasonings of the associated seasoningcompartment section; and a lever configured to be pressed and released,wherein when the lever is pressed and released, the lever moves thesliding member associated with the selected seasoning compartmentsection back and forth, causing the sliding member's set of grindingteeth to grind the grindable seasonings in the selected seasoningcompartment section.
 2. The cooking article of claim 1, wherein theselector switch comprises an opening, wherein the handle comprises: ashut pin configured to pass through the selector switch's opening; and aplurality of pivot heads connected to the lever, each pivot head in theplurality of pivot heads corresponding to a sliding member in theplurality of sliding members, and wherein when the selector switchselects a seasoning compartment section, the selector switch moves theshut pin between the seasoning compartment section's sliding member andthe corresponding pivot head.
 3. The cooking article of claim 2, whereinthe handle comprises a plurality of sliding member springs, each slidingmember spring associated with a corresponding sliding member, eachsliding member spring configured to compress when the associated slidingmember is under pressure and moves in a first direction, each slidingmember spring configured to stretch and move the associated slidingmember in a second, opposite, direction when the sliding member is notunder pressure, wherein when the lever is pressed and the shut pin isbetween a first pivot head and an associated first sliding member, thelever rotates the plurality of pivot heads, causing the first pivot headand the shut pin to move the first sliding member from a first positionto a second position and causing the sliding member's spring to stretch;and wherein when the lever is released, and the shut pin is between thefirst pivot head and the first sliding member, the sliding member'sspring stretches, causing the sliding member to move back to the firstposition, wherein said back and forth movement of the sliding memberbetween the first and second positions causes the grindable seasoningsin the selected seasoning compartment section to be grinded.
 4. Thecooking article of claim 3, wherein each seasoning compartment sectioncomprises a plate configured to prevent the grindable seasonings to comeinto contact with the seasoning compartment section's sliding memberspring.
 5. The cooking article of claim 1, wherein the handle comprisesa spring connected to the lever, wherein when the lever is pressed, thelever moves from a first position to a second position causing thespring to compress; and wherein when the lever released, the springstretches and cause the handle to return to the first position.
 6. Thecooking article of claim 1, wherein the lever comprises an opening;wherein the handle comprises a pivot shaft configured to pass throughthe opening of the lever; and wherein when the lever is pressed andreleased, the lever rotates around the pivot shaft.
 7. The cookingarticle of claim 1, wherein each seasoning compartment section comprisesa corresponding grinding chamber configured to receive a quantity ofgrindable seasonings from the corresponding seasoning compartmentsection, each grinding chamber configured to allow the sliding member ofthe corresponding seasoning compartment section to move across thegrinding chamber causing the sliding member's set of grinding teeth togrind the grindable seasoning in the grinding chamber.
 8. The cookingarticle of claim 7 wherein each griding chamber comprises an openinginto a dispensing channel configured to dispense the grinded seasoningsthrough one or more holes on the cooking utensil.
 9. The cooking articleof claim 1, wherein the cooking utensil comprises a set of one or moreseasoning dispensing holes configured to dispense the grindedseasonings.
 10. The cooking article of claim 79 further comprising ahollow dispensing channel configured to transfer the grinded seasoningsfrom the seasoning compartment sections to the set of dispensing holes,wherein a first section of the dispensing channel is located inside thehandle and a second section of the dispensing channel is located insidethe cooking utensil.
 11. The cooking article of claim 1, wherein thehandle comprises a housing for the lever, wherein when the lever ispressed, at least a portion of the lever moves inside the lever'shousing, and wherein when the lever is released, at least a portion ofthe lever moves out of the lever's housing.
 12. The cooking article ofclaim 1, wherein the handle comprises a plurality of stoppers configuredto hold the selector switch in position after one of the plurality ofseasoning compartment sections is selected.
 13. The cooking article ofclaim 1 further comprising a seasoning compartment encompassing theplurality of seasoning compartment sections.
 14. The cooking article ofclaim 13, wherein an exterior surface of the seasoning compartmentcomprises a transparent material configured to show at least a portionof a content of each seasoning compartment section.
 15. The cookingarticle of claim 1, wherein one of the cooking utensil and the handlecomprises a connector and a set of one or more tabs, wherein the otherof the cooking utensil and the handle comprises a set of correspondingmatching grooves, wherein the tabs are configured to fit inside thecorresponding grooves, wherein the tabs are configured to lock insidethe corresponding grooves when the handle is turned in a first directionagainst the cooking utensil, and wherein the tabs are configured tounlock from the corresponding grooves when the handle is turned in asecond direction against the cooking utensil.
 16. The cooking article ofclaim 1, wherein one of the cooking utensil and the handle comprises ascrew thread and the other of the cooking utensil and the handlecomprises a matching groove, and wherein the cooking utensil and thehandle are configured to attach and detach through the screw thread andthe matching groove.
 17. The cooking article of claim 1, wherein eachpair of adjacent seasoning compartment sections is separated by adivider configured to prevent the grindable seasonings stored in eachseasoning compartment section in an adjacent pair to enter the otherseasoning compartment section in the pair.
 18. The cooking article ofclaim 1, wherein the cooking utensil comprises one of a spoon, a slottedspoon, a fork, a spatula, a ladle, a spaghetti ladle, a whisk, a potatomasher, a skimmer, a basting brush, and a tong.
 19. The cooking articleof claim 1, wherein the handle is configured to attach to and detachfrom a plurality of different types of cooking utensils comprisingspoons, slotted spoons, forks, spatulas, ladles, spaghetti ladles,whisks, potato mashers, skimmers, basting brushes, and tongs.
 20. Thecooking article of claim 1, wherein the cooking utensil and the handleare made of one or more of plastic, metal, glass, silicone, nylon, wood,and ceramic.